Question

1. Using the post-structuralist perspective, answer the following questions:

a. How does this theoretical perspective describe society? (That is, what is society according to this perspective?)

b. Identify one key theorist who take this theoretical perspective and name one key concept from this theorist. Explain the concept.

c. What is a criticism of this theoretical perspective? (E.g. what is a limitation of this perspective?)

d. What is the strength of this perspective? (E.g. what is it able to explain about the social world?)

Answer 1

Post structuralist perspective says that if we want to understand an object then first of all we will have to understand the process through which that object has been created or produced. If we know the entire process then only we can decide something meaningful.

Theoretical perspective also keeps main focus on essence of understanding the root cause of any phenomenon. If we know the root causes then only we can understand the basic functions of that system. If we understand the process of formation of a society then only we can determine the needs and desires of society and then only we can act in an appropriate manner.

If we wish to implement some changes in some society then we must have background knowledge about the traditions and culture of that society. Concept of symbolic interaction is an essential feature of theoretical perspective.

It helps in understanding the face to face interactions. There also remains a need to understand the functioning of different parts of society in a collaborative manner. Various conflicts take place in society if various resources become scare in society.

Whenever we try to understand the theoretical perspective then we basically keep main focus on elements which can disturb the whole system. We can not study the role of power. We also become unable to determine the impact of misuse of power in maintaining the stability of an society.

We can understand the basic mechanism of working of society but several hidden aspects also remain there which have potential to degrade the qualitative perspective of society.